Signal-tube for mines



(No Model.)

T. Hv W.

'SIGNAL T 0R MINES.

No. 390,262. Patented 001.. 2, 1888.

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ilurrso STATES .Partnr 'THOMAS SHAV, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.'

SIGNAL-TUBE FOR MINES.,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,262, dated October 2, 1888.

Application filed October 8, 1887. Serial No. 251,846, (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, THoMAs SHAW, of the city and county of Philadelphia., Pennsylvania, have invented a new and vimproved Signaling-Tube; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of my invention is to produce a signal device adapted to convey signals long distances; and my invention consists in a metallic sound-conductor, preferably in the form of' a metal tube, suspended or supported upon ilexible or elastic supports and provided with sound concentrators or intensifiers, whereby signals produced at one end of the metal sound-conductor may be distinctly heard at the other distant end.

In more particularly describing` my invention reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which represents a vertical section of a mine-shaft supplied with my invention.

My invention consists, rst, in supporting` a metallic sound-conductor, preferably in the form of an iron or steel tube, upon elastic or flexible supports, and, secondly, in the use of sound concentrators or intensiiers.

The shaft chas a gangway running to a heading, c, and a conductor, d, in the form of an iron tube, is located (suspended by flexible suspeusories c, such as flexible loops of cord or metal) at various points throughout its length. Vhere anyY great strain is put upon the supports, a bed or bearing of elastic material, as rubber, is substituted for the liexible suspensories, as at f on the ground-surface, where the weight of the conductor rests on the elastic bearing. The end of the tube at the upper station is provided with any suitable soundamplifier, h', as a tuning-fork, bell, or metal disk, capable of producing a tone not discordant with that resulting from the vibrations of the metal tube, and this device h is bolted in any suitable manner to the tube.

A. sound-eoncentrator, inthe form of arnetal gong or bell, h, is provided adjacent to each intensifier h', to permit the ear to be rested upon or placed near said coneentrator-bell, which will concentrate the sound,so as to prevent interference of sounds from other sources with the sounds coming from the metal pipe. The end ofthe-conductor at the lower station in heading c is similarly provided with a sound-intensifier and sound-concentrator.

It is a very common thing to convey sound within narrow limits of three, and possibly five, hundred feet by striking a metallic conductor with any hand object; but when the conductor extends for a half mile or over, all Vibrations are absorbed and no sound is conveyed to the end.

Vhen the conductor is supported by yielding or elastic bearings or supports throughout its length, it will effectually convey sounds for over a mile, and these sounds are rendered more sharp, distinct, and audible by the addition of intensiliers secured at each end of the conductor, especially if tubular, while the concentrators enable all soundsltransmitted to be readily received.

It will be observed that the essential charaeteristics of my device consist of a rigid metallic conductor, which is freely supported throughout its length, and not under tensile strain, and which conveys thesound by vif brations within itself in eontradistinction to the longitudinal vibrations in a wire or condoctor held under strain at its end, as in the well-known mechanical telephones.

The said invention is an excellent auxiliary to the device set forth in my patent, No. 359,102, for test and signal apparatus for mine use.

In some cases the eoncentrators or intensifiers alone may be used in connection with the conductor.

"What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*- 1. A mine signaling device consisting of a continuous rigid metallic conductor having its ends freely supported and suspended by yielding supports throughout its length and extending into the mine through the shaft and between the points of communication, substantially as described,

2. A mine signaling device consisting of a rigid continuous metallic conductor having freely-supported ends and suspended on yielding supports throughout its length, oneend extendinginto the mine through the shaft and provided at the ends with sound-intensiers, substantially as described,

IOO

3. A mine signaling device consisting of a rigid continuous metallic conductor having freely-supported ends and suspended on yielding supports throughout its length, one end 5 extending into the mine through the shaft and provided at the ends with sound intensiiers and concentrators, substantially as described.

4. A mine signaling device consisting of a rigid metallictubular conductor having freely- Io supported ends and suspended on yielding supports throughout its length, one end eX- tending into the mine through the shaft and provided at both its ends with sound intensi fiers and conceutmtors, substantially as described.

THOMAS SHAV.

Witnesses:

J. LOGAN FITTs, WM. GARWooD. 

